HC Deb 13 July 1959 vol 609 cc31-2
45. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister what protests he has received against the Anglo-Danish Trade Agreement.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department and Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has received a small number of representations on this matter.

Mr. Lipton

Will the Lord Privy Seal say whether that small number of representations has come from authoritative spokesmen of the pig and bacon interests concerned? While the Government have so effectively nobbled their supporters in the House—[Interruption.] —that there was hardly a bleat of protest from them when the Danish Agreement was announced—[Interruption.]—is it not quite clear that the British pig and bacon producers will get hurt as a result of the operation of this agreement—quite apart from the millions of £s which it will cost the taxpayer?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. It was very difficult to distinguish the hon. Member's supplementary question because of the interruptions of his own supporters, but so far as I could apprehend what he said, he stated that certain damage would be done. Certainly any sacrifice involves damage, and it would be wrong to say that no damage will be done, but the subsidy and guaranteed prices will continue for British producers and the curers will have the benefit of the Government guarantee on pigs. While my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture has been in touch with them and with the Farmers' Unions, that does not lessen the anxiety felt, but I feel that this agreement is in the interests of the nation as a whole.

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